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29 Dec 2009

Longmorn 1990, 14 YO, MacArthur, 59.7%, cask 30110. Price:

Colour: Gold-old gold

Nose: Very fruity (strawberry cream, raspberries and some apricots), floral, slightly spirity, creamy, on sweet barley and some almonds. Diluted, it becomes lighter, more floral (roses) and with additional fruity notes (apples and pear).

Taste: Very sweet, spicy, salty, on tobacco leaves and creamy flavours. Quite spirity. Diluted, it becomes cleaner, sweeter and more winey. The finish is smooth, malty, smoky (tobacco) and with some fruitiness (melon and strawberries). Clean and of medium length.

General Impression: A good and round Longmorn, with a creamy texture.

Rating: 15/20

28 Dec 2009

Longmorn 1976, 30 YO, Kingsbury, 59.7%, B: 2006. Price: N.A.

Colour: Gold-old gold.

Nose: Very nice nose, sweet and smoky, floral, on humus, peat, peach, melon, some berries and a nice oakiness. Quite grassy. Diluted, it becomes fruitier (melon).
Taste: Hot, fruity, spicy, oaky, smoky, lemony, on toffee, mint-green tea flavours, with some starchy flavours. The finish is long, spicy, smoky, on herbal infusion and some saw dust.

General Impression: A very good Longmorn, surprisingly smoky and rougher than the 1976 from Mackillops. Thank you Patrick S.

Rating: 16/20

25 Dec 2009

Longmorn 1970, 39 YO, Alambique, 51.7%. B: 2009, cask 9401, 139 bottles. Price:

Colour: Amber.

Nose:  Very fruity, clean, fresh, sweet, juicy, with plenty of berries and tangerine, light fragrant and floral notes as well as some peat smoke. Excellent.

Taste: Spicy to very spicy, slightly dry and tanninc, on raisins, coffee, dark chocolate, figs, old black tea, tangerine and orange. The finish is long, dry, woody, slightly bitter, on orange, tannins, black tea and tangerine.

General Impression: An excellent nose, but a tad drying and does not support very well. A very nice Longmorn.

Rating: 17/20 FP:G3


Longmorn 1969 for The Mash Tun and KasK, 39 YO, Gordon & MacPhail, 58.9%, B: 2009, 460 bottles. Price:

Colour: Old gold-amber.

Nose: Woaw, very intense and surprisingly fresh and fruity, smoky, with quite some peat, rich, smooth, very complex and without any off-notes.

Taste: Juicy, very fruity, rich, complex, on old peat smoke, some Pu-Her tea, with some Swiss chocolate, tangerine, and papaya. The finish is long to very long, rich, mouthcoating, complex, very fruity and on peat smoke.

General Impression: A superb rich and fruity Longmorn, very intense, with a stunning freshness for being almost 40 years old. Simply superb. Thank you Hideo.

Rating: 19/20 FP:F3

23 Dec 2009

Longmorn 1971 for Limburg, 38 YO, Gordon & Macphail, 47.4%, B: 2009, cask 4812, 190 bottles. Price:

Colour: Gold –old gold.

Nose: Smooth, mellow, juicy, slightly rougher and spicier than the 1968 bottled for the Whisky Fair, on watermelon and vanilla.

Taste: Fresh, spicy, oaky, floral, with a touch of bitterness and some fruity notes coming through, on vanilla, smoke, and some woodiness. The finish is medium, slightly dry and woody, spicy, floral, on vanilla and a zest of citrus.

General Impression: The presence of the oak is quite present and giving quite a spicy kick, with notes of ginger and pepper. A very nice whisky. Thank you Carsten.

Rating: 16/20 FP:A3

22 Dec 2009

Longmorn 1968 for the Whisky Fair (Limburg), Gordon & Macphail, 60.5%, B: 2009. Price:

Colour: Gold-old gold.

Nose: Smooth, mellow, with a nice juicy oakiness, a touch of smoke, on marzipan, some vanilla and some light floral notes.

Taste: Woaw, a very rich, spicy, complex, and quick thick malt, on vanilla, melon, with some papaya, tangerine, vanilla, and some pina colada, with some floral notes. The finish is long, mouthcoating, rich, spicy, fruity, quite smoky and slightly tannic.

General Impression: I really enjoy old sherried Longmorn, but this bourbon-matured whisky is not only stunning by its 60.5%, but also by the richness and intensity of its flavours. Lovely. Thank you Carsten.

Rating: 18/20 FP:B3

21 Dec 2009

Highland Park 1975, 25 YO, Scott’s selection, 52%, B: 2000, Price:

Colour: Straw

Nose: Spirity at the start, then develops on honey, heather and vanilla. Quite perfumy. With water, more pear drops and chocolate flavours.

Taste: Quite oily, buttery and salty (maritime), with pepper. It then develops on peat smoke and bitter chocolate. The finish is medium-short, quite unusual, on chocolate, peat, “cachoux” sweets, smoke (old tobacco), and salt liquorice.

General Impression: A rather unusual Highland park with a surprising finish on milk chocolate.

Rating: 14/20

20 Dec 2009

Highland Park 1978, Duthie's, 46%, B: 1993. Price: N.A.

Colour: Gold.

Nose: Floral, smooth, on heather, tangerine, beeswax, with some bold peat smoke.

Taste: Salty, maritime, on bold peat smoke, heather, seaweeds, tangerine and with a nice smoothness. The finish is medium,peaty, maritime, on old wood smoke, heather, honey and seaweeds.

General Impression:  Not hugely complex, but smooth, quite mellow and very drinkable.

Rating: 15/20 FP:D5

 

19 Dec 2009

Longmorn 1969 for the Whisky Exchange, 39 YO, Gordon & Macphail, 57.3%, B: 2009, cask 5305. Price:

Colour: Amber.

Nose: Fresh, quite floral, tannic, on leather, with some coriander, tangerines, orange and mushrooms. With time, it becomes quite rubbery.

Taste:  Very rubbery (freshly made rubber), very intense and spicy, peppery, on strawberries, coriander and cumin. The finish is long very dry and tannic, spicy, on berries and orange.

General Impression: An excessively dry, tannic and rubbery version of an old Longmorn. I really enjoy old Longmorn, but this is one is very to my taste.

Rating: 13/20 FP:J3

18 Dec 2009

Highland Park Earl of Magnus, 15 YO, OB, 52.6%, B:2009, 5976 bottles. Price:

Colour: Old gold.

Nose: Peaty, tarry, maritime, on heather and honey, tangerine, citrus, orange marmalade and some seaweeds. A quite dry and tarry expression.

Taste: Slightly dry and citric, on peat smoke, tangerine and some cold ashes. The finish is long, dry, mineral, peaty, slightly lemony, on seaweeds and tangerine.

General Impression: A quite dry and mineral expression of Highland Park, slightly farmy and "old fashioned". Very pleasant.

Rating: 17/20 FP:F5

17 Dec 2009
Special Whisky-Live Paris

Double Barrel Bowmore & Highland Park, Douglas Laing, 46%, B: 2009. Price:

Colour: Gold.

Nose: Dry, young, peaty, light, fresh, on heather, bubblegum, and camomile.

Taste: Salty, peaty, tarry, slightly floral and fragrant, with some coriander, seaweeds, heather and honey. The finish is long, dry, smoky, peaty, slightly tarry, on heather and liquorice root.

General Impression: The vatting of these two medium peated malts gives a nice interplay between the heather from Highland Park and the seaweeds from Bowmore.

Rating: 13/20 FP:A7

16 Dec 2009

Glenglassaugh 1965 Sherry/Riversaltes Mission, 40 YO,  Murray McDavid, 47.8%, 411 bottles. Price:

Colour: Green-gold.

Nose: Fresh, zesty, on grapefruit, grapes, some heather and tangerine.

Taste: Light, fresh, grassy, slightly floral, on marzipan, vanilla, sweet grapes and some honey. The finish is medium, slightly syrupy and winey, quite sweet and round and on grapes.

General Impression: A surprisingly fresh and light whisky in spite of its respectable age, with the Muscat wine contributing to some extra sweetness.

Rating: 14/20 FP:G2

15 Dec 2009

Glenglassaugh 1976, 30 YO, Murray McDavid, 45.5%, Cask 2381. Price:

Colour: Straw.

Nose: Light, fresh, grassy, on hay, vanilla, some tobacco and light fruity flavours.

Taste: Oaky, malty, grassy, with some tobacco, a hint of quince and melon. Diluted, it becomes more floral and fragrant. The finish is medium, malty, slightly syrupy and fruity, oaky, with some vanilla custard, apples and some grass.

General Impression: A rather light and pleasant Glenglassaugh.

Rating: 13/20 FPC2

13 Dec 2009

Glenglassaugh 1978 sherry/syrah Mission Gold, 28 YO, 46.6%, Murray McDavid, 500 bottles. Price:

Colour: Amber-brown.

Nose: Musty, very winey, slightly acidic (acetic), with a strong sherry influence and on walnut.

Taste: Very winey, peppery, spicy, on "cachou", grapes, grass and some honey, The finish is long, very winey, grassy, spicy, on cloves and lots of honey.

General Impression: A rather peculiar combination of heavy sherry and heavy wine flavours, but working quite well together. I would however liked to enjoy it non-ACEd.

Rating: 14/20 FP:I2

11 Dec 2009
Special Whisky-Live Paris

Glenglassaugh 21 YO, OB, 46%, B: 2009. Price:

Colour: Straw.

Nose: Malty, grassy, on green apples, hay, and some elderberries.

Taste: Oaky to very oaky, with light juicy notes, some melon, lots of vanilla (custard), on apples, tobacco and some white pepper. Diluted, it becomes very much on biscuits. The finish is medium, grassy, malty, on grist and vanilla.

General Impression: A very nice Glenglassaugh, very much on biscuits.

Rating: 14/20 FP:C2

10 Dec 2009

Glenglassaugh 40 YO, OB, 44.8%, B:2009. Price:

Colour: Amber.

Nose: Strong sherry notes (more pronouced than that of the 30 YO), heavier, more on raisin, figs and clove.

Taste: Rich, spicy, getting slightly tannic, on light grassy notes, cumin, dried fruits and orange peel. The finish is long, mellow, creamy, on dried fruits, leather and with some chocolate.

General Impression: Another very good whisky from Glenglassaugh, with a strong sherry influence and showing some traces of age. A serious competitor for other heavily sherried  whiskies closer to the Spey river.

Rating: 17/20 FP:I2

09 Dec 2009

Glenglassaugh 30 YO for visitors, OB, 43.0%, B: 2009. Price:

Colour: Old gold-amber.

Nose: Rich, complex, intense, on spices, Christmas cake, orange, tangerine and raisins.

Taste: Medium bodied, grassy, fruity, very smooth and mellow, on almond, menthol, marzipan and some tangerine. Diluted, it becomes fruitier. The finish is medium to long, on dried fruits, almond, tangerine and orange.

General Impression: An excellent whisky, vibrant, without being woody, although it is almost 40 YO (37 YO for being more accurate), with a beautiful mellowness. This is the second release of the "30 YO" from the distillery.

Rating: 19/20 FP: H2

08 Dec 2009

Kilchoman Autumn 2009 Release, OB, 3 YO, 46%, B: 2009 10,000 bottles. Price:

Colour: Gold.

Nose: Peaty, slightly maritime, farmy, on dry peat smoke, rich in seaweeds, with some diesel oil and on wood ashes. Surprisingly mature in the nose.

Taste: Light, young, fresh, salty, smoky, slightly floral, on diluted tar, oak and caramel. The finish is short to medium, oaky, on vanilla, coconut, wood ashes and slightly maritime.

General Impression: A very nice nose suggesting more maturity than 3 years. The "nose" has matured faster than the body, with the oaky flavours more present than on the inaugural batch. This second official batch was bottled durig the first days of December 2009 (i.e., Winter and not Autumn).

Rating: 10/20 FP: A8

07 Dec 2009
Special Whisky-Live Paris

Kilchoman 2006, 3 YO, OB, 61%, B: 2009, cask 361, Price: N/A.

Colour: Pale gold.

Nose: Very peaty, farmy, floral, oaky and intense.

Taste: A bit rough and spirity, peaty, floral, with a nice oakiness and on vanilla. The finish is medium to long, very peaty, clean, oaky, tarry, on vanilla, with a very long peaty retro-olfaction.

General Impression: It is a very young whisky, rougher and less sweet that the Inaugural release. Compared to other whiskies of its age, it is very good and very promising.

Rating: 07/20 FP:A9

06 Dec 2009
Special Whisky-Live Paris

Kilchoman Inaugural Release, 3 YO, OB, 46%, B: 2009. 8500 bottles. Price:

Colour: Pale gold.

Nose: Very peaty, clean, farmy, slightly meaty, young and slightly malty.

Taste: Smooth, tarry, young, farmy, on ashes and pear. Quite sweet. The finish is medium to long, smooth, clean, peaty, tarry, on ashes with some oakiness.

General Impression: The nose is very pleasant and the taste is one of a young and promising whisky. It is palatable, but let's wait a few more years to allow the whisky to express itself better.

Rating: 08/20 FP:C8

05 Dec 2009

Yoichi 20 YO, OB, 52%, B: 2008. Price:

Colour: Old gold-amber.

Nose: Peaty, floral, clean, slightly farmy, with some grassy notes, vanilla, soja sauce and sandalwood.

Taste: Smooth, peaty, slightly dry, spicy, with some light grassy notes, Turkish delights, and some plums. The finish is long, smooth, bitter-sweet, peaty, round and with some plums.

General Impression: A balanced, exotic, moderately peaty whisky.  Very nicely done, but maybe a bit less expressive that some 20 YO vintages.

Rating: 17/20 FP:D4

04 Dec 2009

Yoichi 1986 for LMDW, OB, 59%, cask 112112. Price:

Colour: Old gold.

Nose: Peaty, dry, farmy, floral, spicy, on tobacco leaves, intense and sharp. Reminding me of some heavily peated Speysiders.

Taste: Smooth, spicy, peaty, farmy, on old hemp rope, rather dry and with some raisins. The finish is very long, very peaty, slightly farmy, dry, but not as much as Islay whiskies, with some grilled bacon.

General Impression: A beautiful Yoichi, very peaty, intense and complex. Playful and simply delicious.

Rating: 18/20 FP: C7

03 Dec 2009

Yoichi 1990, 10 YO, OB, 62.2%, cask 129663. Price:

Colour: Old gold.

Nose: Smooth, sweet, floral, with some cereals, apricots and peach.

Taste: Very smooth, round, clean, on sandalwood, with some light Asian sauces and a touch of smoke, in plums, raisins, and some apricots. The finish is long, smooth, very clean, floral, with some jasmine tea.

General Impression: A very nice, unpeated, clean and very smooth whisky.

Rating: 14/20 FP:H1

02 Dec 2009

Yoichi NAS, 43%, OB, B: 2008 Price: (70 cl equivalent)
Colour: Gold.
Nose: Sweet, clean, sugary, on raisins, with some peat. Not much going on.
Taste: Light, sweet, slightly bitter, with some spices, very floral, and some oriental tea flavours. The finish is short to medium, quite dry, slightly bitter, with some green tea flavour.
General Impression: A young whisky, not very complex, but probably very suitable for Mizuwari (Whisky mixed with water and some ice), as initally developped for.
Rating: 08/20 FP:D1

01 Dec 2009
Special Whisky-Live Paris

Yoichi 12 YO, OB, B: 2009, 45%, Price:

Colour: Pale gold.

Nose: Clean, peaty, very farmy, slightly meaty and on old algae.

Taste: Clean, peaty, quite smooth, maritime, with a touch of salt and pear. The finish is short, clean, smooth, malty, and slightly maritime.

General Impression: A nice dram, but a bit thin for me.

Rating: 10/20 FP: C5

29Nov 2009

Benrinnes 1985, 23 YO, OB, 58.8%, B: 2009, 6000 bottles. Price:

Colour: Amber.

Nose: Yeasty, rich, on freshly made rubber, tangerine, orange, cinnamon, heather and some light floral flavours.

Taste: Fresh, yeasty, on citrus, orange, spices, nutmeg and a lot of newly made rubber. The finish is medium, rubbery, dry, on orange, leather and cinnamon.

General Impression: A very sherried Benrinnes, with strong rubbery notes, from rubber of high grade.

Rating: 15/20 FP: H1

28Nov 2009

Caol Ila 10 YO "unpeated", OB, 65.8%, B: 2009. 6000 bottles. Price:

Colour: Straw.

Nose: Sprity, light, clean, floral with some vanilla.

Taste: Young, spirity, clean, smooth, chewy, with some biscuits and vanilla. Diluted, it becomes more floral. The finish is medium, round, young, malty, oaky, with some vanilla.

General Impression: A light fresh, floral, slightly lemony unpeated Caol Ila. Rather simple and not much is going on.

Rating: 11/20 FP: C1

27Nov 2009

Breath of Speyside (Glenfarclas ?) 1991, 18 YO, Adelphi, 54.2%, cask 5145, 520 b. Price:

Colour: Amber.

Nose: Clean, intense, with nice and strong wood berries flavours, tangerine and some orange.

Taste: Spicy, dry, slightly woody, on tannins, with some leather, fruits, berries, and a hint of peat smoke. The finish is dry, long, rich, and fresh.

General Impression: A very nice and intense malt coming from a family owned company in Ballindalloch. I thoroughly enjoyed it and the best recent Adelphi I have tasted.

Rating: 17/20 FP:I2

24Nov 2009

To celebrate the birth of our son today, I have decided to publish a few tasting notes of some exceptional bottles!

Caol Ila Manager's Dram, 15 YO, OB, 63%, B: 1990. Price:

Colour: Amber.

Nose: Very peaty, mineral, on old ashes, bloody oranges, tangerine and some papaya. A beautiful balance between the peat and the sherry.

Taste: Salty, spicy, peppery, peaty, slightly meaty, mineral, with some cinnamon powder, seaweeds, cold ashes and sweet fruity flavours. The finish is very long, mineral, on cold ashes, quite fruity, on seaweeds, camphor, and with a beautiful sherry.

General Impression: An old fashion Caol Ila, mineral, with a beautiful sherry influence. Thank you Pierre.

Rating: 19/20 FP:G7


Brora 1975 Rare Malts, 20 YO, OB, 59.1%. Price:

Colour: Gold

Nose: Very peaty, very intense, mineral, and farmy. A big Whisky. Impressive nose.

Taste: Dry, very peaty, very salty, very citric, slightly farmy, maritime, clean, on seaweeds and liquorice root. The finish is long to very long, clean, peaty, maritime, slightly citric (grapefruit), with some floral notes and a light fruitiness.

General Impression: This Brora is lighter than the 30 YO Annual Releases, slightly more fruity, but the peat is definitely there and the nose gorgeous. This version was bottled at 75 cl for the US market.

Rating: 19/20 FP:B9


Ardbeg 1975 Sherry, OB, 53.7%, B:2006, cask 1378, 453 bottles. Price:

Colour: Old gold-amber

Nose: Bold peat, tar, menthol, cocoa, cold ashes, slightly maritime and quite mineral. Very complex.

Taste: Peaty, salty, slightly tannic, lots of iodine and disinfectant, mineral, on cold ashes, some pear, dark chocolate and seaweeds. The finish is very long, very dry, tannic, peaty, maritime, and on cinnamon powder.

General impression: Compared to the Manager's choice, the sherry is less pronounced and the result is a more tannic whisky, but also more mineral, on cold ashes and more complex.

Rating: 19/20 FP:F8


Highland Single Malt (Glen Garioch) Slim Cowell’s personal selection III 1973, 15 YO, OB, 60.5%. Price: N.A.

Colour: Amber.

Nose: Heavily peated, mineral, sharp, slightly grassy and floral, on cold ashes and bold smoke.

Taste: Very peaty, citric, meaty, sharp and clean, mineral, slightly salty, on charcoal, with some seaweed and some fruitiness. Very intense, rich and complex. The finish is very long, sharp, clean, peaty, oily, with a light fruity sweetiness (peach and tangerine) and some Swiss milk chocolate.

General Impression: Whisky is a matter of taste and this is one is exactly to my taste: lots of peat, sharp, intense and complex. A dream dram! Or when one cannot judge a whisky by its label. If you have such a bottle for sale, don’t hesitate to contact me!

Rating: 20/20

22 Nov 2009
Special Whisky-Live Paris

Yoichi 1991 for LMDW, 18 YO, OB, 58%, B: 2009, cask 129374, 453 bottles. Price:

Colour: Old gold- amber.

Nose: Peaty, very farmy, clean, floral, on tangerine, with some plums and raisins.

Taste: Spicy, oaky, salty, maritime, on ginger, oriental spiced, lots of cooked apples, with some soybean and vanilla. The finish is medium, smooth, on cooked apples, tangerine and soybean.

General Impression: A playful and exotic Yoichi, entertaining and quite spicy (oaky). From a virgin oak cask (new wood).

Rating: 15/20 FP:G4

21 Nov 2009

Ardbeg 1993, 15 YO, Duncan Taylor, 58.9%, B: 2009, cask 1724, 292 bottles. Price:

Colour: Gold.

Nose: Intense, peaty, floral, slightly meaty, with some sea brine.

Taste: Dry, very peaty, very maritime, intense, with some ashes, sea shells and smoked fish. The finish is long to very long, slightly tarry, peaty, dry, slightly smooth, on smoked fish and ashes. Diluted, it becomes on liquorice.

General Impression: A very "Ardbeg" Ardbeg, intense, peaty, reminding me of the waves smashing the walls of the distillery.

Rating: 16/20 FP:B8

20 Nov 2009

Ardbeg 1998 33.72 , 10 YO, SMWS, 57.2%, B: 2008, First fill bourbon, 255 bottles. Price:

Colour: Gold.

Nose: Fresh, very peaty, oaky, very clean, on wood smoke, seaweeds, with some very light floral notes.

Taste: Dry, very peaty, clean, maritime, on apples. The finish is medium to long, peaty, maritime, clean, and slightly floral.

General Impression: A very good peaty Ardbeg, clean, in the same type as the Ardbeg renaissance.

Rating: 15/20 FP:A8

19 Nov 2009

Ardbeg 1998 33.73, 10 YO, SMWS, 57.8%, B: 2008, Gorda cask, 782 bottles. Price:

Colour: Gold

Nose: Farmy, sulphury, on burnt matches and peat.

Taste: Very peaty, smooth, sulphury and rotten fish.

General Impression: My worst Ardbeg ever. If you are looking for an infusion of sulphur and burnt matches, here you go. I could not keep it in my mouth. A flawed cask.

Rating: 04/20 FP:G7

18 Nov 2009
Special Whisky-Live Paris

Ardbeg 1991 OMC for LMDW, 18 YO, Douglas Laing, 56.1%, B: 2009. Ref 5440, 90 bottles. Price:

Colour: Gold.

Nose: Smooth, almost sweet, very round, slightly farmy and floral, peaty, with some iodine and lots of seaweeds.

Taste: Smooth, oaky, slightly spirity, on caramel, coriander, seaweeds and some tar. The finish is medium, smooth, maritime, oaky, on toffee and sea shells.

General Impression: A lightly peaty Ardbeg, with the personality of a dompted wild animal.

Rating: 12/20 FP:C6

15 Nov 2009
Special Whisky-Live Paris

Ardbeg Corryvreckan, OB, 57.1%, B: 2009. Price:

Colour: Old gold.

Nose: Peaty, maritime, slightly winey and meaty, with some raisins, curry and vanilla.

Taste: Dry, very peaty, maritime, on iodine, seaweeds, with some coriander, tar, ashes, some raisins and oak. Diluted, it becomes more on toffee and chocolate. The finish is long, dry, peaty, slightly winey and on chocolate, with some seaweeds and vanilla.

General Impression: A very nice Ardbeg, slightly rougher and oakier than the Committee release.

Rating: 16/20 FP: D8

14 Nov 2009

Fettercairn 1990, 18 YO, OB, 50%, B: 2009, cask 2902, 189 bottles. Price:

Colour: Old gold-Amber.

Nose: Very smooth and fruity, with light earthy and smoky notes, on melon, mango, papaya and passion fruit.

Taste: Smooth, juicy, intense, rich, complex, slightly smoky, spicy and very fruity, on tangerine, melon, grenade and other fruits. The finish is medium to long, slightly earthy, quite thick, rich, spicy, slightly oaky and very fruity.

General Impression: Sold only at the Distillery this Fettercairn is a tour de force. Matured in a bourbon cask, before being re-racked into a sherry oloroso quarter cask, this single malt combines rich and complex fruit cocktail flavours with a rich and intense body. They wanted to create something different from the traditional sherry and bourbon single casks for their visitor centre and this objective has been definitely rich with that whisky.

Rating: 19/20 FP: E2

13Nov 2009
Special Whisky-Live Paris

GlenDronach 1993 for LMDW, 16 YO, OB, 61.7%. cask 528. Price:

Colour: Amber.

Nose: Rich, tannic, slightly floral, on old leather, tangerine, Christmas cake, orange, with some slight rubbery notes.

Taste: Rich, intense, complex, full of toffee, on spices, tangerine, chocolate, orange, leather and slightly rubbery.The finish is medium to long, dry, tannic, rubbery, on orange, tangerine, leather, some smoke and liquorice.

General Impression: A very fine dram, very rich, intense and complex, maybe a tad too rubbery. Very pleasant.

Rating: 16/20 FP: I3

12 Nov 2009

PC8 Port Charlotte Ar Duthchas, 8 YO, OB, 60.5%, B: 2009: Price:

Colour: Old gold.

Nose: Very peaty, lots of grilled bread and seaweeds, intense, powerful and on iodine.

Taste: Dry to very dry, smoky, maritime, with lots of seaweeds, some vanilla and liquorice. The finish is long, rich, peaty, maritime, on seaweeds, chocolate and toffee. Diluted, it becomes creamier and more on toffee.

General Impression: This is the last bottling of the Port Charlotte distilled in 2001, and thus this is the end of the PC5-8 serie. The PC8 is very nice, peaty, complex and it has matured very well. With the PC5, it is to my opinion the best of the original PC serie. Hopefully, the following vintages will be at the same level or better than the 2001 distillation.

Rating: 16/20 FP: C8

11 Nov 2009

Bruichladdich Waves, OB, 46%, B:2009. Price:

Colour: Gold- old gold.

Nose: Soft, slightly maritime, on peat smoke, toffee, vanilla and a touch of sea spray.

Taste: Sweet, peaty, oaky, with some fruity notes (apricot and pineapple), seaweeds, vanilla and some grilled bread. The finish is medium, sweet, smooth, quite young, peaty and on pear.

General Impression: A nice light, fresh and easy drinking Bruichladdich peated at 15-20 ppm. Approximately 7 YO.

Rating: 12/20 FP: D5

10 Nov 2009

 

Abhainn Dearg new make

Colour: Colourless.

Nose: Fresh, earthy, humic, fragrant, on fudge cake and horse leather saddle.

Taste: Sweet, malty, spicy, meaty, earthy, slightly winey,on horse saddle leather, curry, sausage (Bratwurst) and oriental spices. The finish is medium, smooth and sweet, slightly winey and on horst stable.

General Impression: A very special new make, with legs taking ages to flow down the bottom of the glass, and very unique flavours. Not too surprisingly taking into consideration the uniqueness of the stills (http://www.abhainndearg.co.uk) and of the process of the new distillery of the Isle of Uig. I would be most interested in tasting the whisky when it will be of age. Thank you Misako.

Rating: N/A (unsold spirit)

09 Nov 2009

Bruichladdich X4+3, 3 YO, OB, 63.5%, B:2009. Price:

Colour: Light straw.

Nose: Spirity, smooth, on wood dust, with some pear and toffee. Diluted, the toffee flavours are getting stronger.

Taste: Smooth, spirity, with some fresh fruity notes (pear). The finish is short, smooth and on new oak.

General Impression: Bottled at a higher strength and resulting from the vatting a whisky matured 50% in first fill bourbon and 50% in French virgin oak, this whisky has more flavours than the X4-Islay spirit. The flavours remain however very thin and the flavours are mainly coming from the wood than from the whisky itself. An interesting experience. Maybe more for the Vodka and "eau-de-vie" drinker than for the whisky drinker?

Rating: 05/20 FP: A1

08 Nov 2009

Bruichladdich X4 -Islay Spirit, OB, 50%, B:2009. Price:
Colour: Colourless.
Nose: Smooth and spirity.
Taste: Very smooth and spirity. The finish is short and smooth.
General Impression: The quadrupled-distilled X4 was initally distilled at a strength of 92%. In this version, it was reduced to 50%, and this reduction probably diluted most of the flavours contained in the initial spirit. In this version at 50%, it is very difficult to find any flavours and taste like british plain spirit. This spirit has no major flaws, except the absence of flavours. A curiosity sold in a nice bottle, which should appeal more to the vodka drinker than the whisky drinker. Not for me.
Rating: 03/20 FP: NA

06 Nov 2009
Special Whisky-Live Paris

GlenDronach 1972 for LMDW, 37 YO, OB, 53.3%, B:2009, cask 705, 275 bottles. Price:

Colour: Amber.

Nose: Rich, meaty (game), fuity, on old furniture, orange, tangerine, red berries and some papaya.

Taste: Rich, spicy, tannic, fruity, on leather, tangerine, orange and red berries. The finish is long, dry, rich, woody and tannic, on chocolate, old furniture, tangerine and orange.

General Impression: An excellent nose, unfortunately, the tannins are too present for me.

Rating: 15/20 FP: J3

04 Nov 2009
Special Whisky-Live Paris

Glen Garioch 1978, OB, 57.8%, B: 2009, 1320 bottles, Price:

Colour: Old gold.

Nose: Floral, farmy, very fruity, smooth, round, on pollen, honey, guava, melon and papaya, with light grassy notes.

Taste: Spicy, slightly salty, extremely fruity, on tangerine, melon, guava, papaya, lichees and some other exotic fruits, with a slight oaky bite. The finish is long, quite thick, on fruit marmalade, with plenty of melon, exotic fruits and a hint of peach.

General Impression: An excellent Glen Garioch, very fruity, mellow and complex.

Rating; 17/20 FP: D2

03 Nov 2009
Special Whisky-Live Paris

Glen Garioch 1990, OB, 54.6%, B: 2009, batch n°34. Price:

Colour: Old gold.

Nose: Malty, farmy, slightly smoky and floral. With time, it becomes smoother and on toffee.

Taste: Spicy to very spicy, oaky, fruity, nutty, on tangerine, coconut, vanilla, toffee and peach. The finish is medium to long, smooth, malty, slightly floral and smoky, on pollen, honey, with some fruity notes. Slightly farmy.

General Impression: A very good Glen Garioch, smooth and mellow, but it needs some time to develop.

Rating: 15/20 FP: D2

02 Nov 2009
Special Whisky-Live Paris

Glen Garioch 1797 Founder's Reserve, OB, 48%, B: 2009. Price:

Colour: Gold.

Nose: Malty, oaky, spicy, slightly floral and grassy, on pollen, with some caramel, vanilla and a light fruitiness. Becomes fruitier and more floral with some water.

Taste: Spicy, oaky, malty, slightly smoky, on toffee and chocolate. The finish is short to medium, slightly smoky, on toffee and chocolate.

General Impression: A good Glen Garioch, spicier and with a stronger wood influence than the previous 8 and 15 YO versions. Good value

Rating: 12/20 FP: C2

01 Nov 2009
Special Whisky-Live Paris

Dalmore 1981 Amoroso Sherry Finesse, OB, 42%, B: 2009, 484 bottles. Price:

Colour: Amber.

Nose: Smooth, fruity, sugary,  on strawberries and raspberries, with some wood smoke, peach and melon.

Taste: Smooth, clean, sweet, fruity, with a mixture of peach, melon, papaya and some berries. Quite subtle. The finish is medium, slightly tannic, dry, smoky and fruity, with a hint of bitterness.

General Impression: It might not the most intense Dalmore, but the flavours are subtle. An elegant whisky, with 26 years of maturation in ex-bourbon cask before spending its last years in an amoroso sherry cask.

Rating: 15/20 FP: I2

31 Oct 2009
Special Whisky-Live Paris

Dalmore 18 YO, OB, 43%, B: 2009. Price:

Colour: Old gold-amber.

Nose: Fresh, fruity, mellow, on almonds, tangerine, with some peach and winey flavours, with a hint of smoke.

Taste: Spicy, peppery, round, slightly rubbery and winey, on tangerine, red fruits and some smoke. The finish is of medium length, round, slightly bitter, rubbery and winey, on tangerine and some cinnamon powder.

General Impression: A good and pleasant Dalmore, but it would benefit from a few extra % abv.

Rating 13/20 FP:G2

29 Oct 2009
Special Whisky-Live Paris

Ichiro’s Choice 1976 Single Grain (Kawasaki), OB, 65.6%, 432 bottles. Price: N/A

Colour: Old gold-amber.

Nose: Clean, on freshly crushed cereals, on apricots, orange and tangerine. Very smooth.

Taste: Quite spirity, smooth, very clean, juicy, on tangerine, orange and crushed cereals. The finish is short, slightly bitter, clean, smooth, on apricots, orange and tangerine.

General Impression: Not extremely complex, but very clean and smooth, with a sexy influence from the sherry providing a pleasant sensation.

Rating: 14/20 FP:G1

28 Oct 2009
Special Whisky-Live Paris

Hanyu Ichiro’s choice Nine of Diamonds, OB, D: 1985, B: 2009, cask 9421, 248 bottles. Price:

Colour: Old gold- amber.

Nose: Very clean, very floral, on strawberries and other freshly collected red berries.

Taste: Spicy, oaky, very floral (rose, geranium and jasmine), clean, with some soybean, tangerine and orange. The finish is medium, clean, floral and on tangerine.

General Impression: A very nice clean and very floral expression of hanyu. From a hogshead with an additional maturation in a bourbon barrel.

Rating: 16/20 FP: F1

27 Oct 2009
Special Whisky-Live Paris

Hanyu Ichiro’s malt 1985 for LMDW, OB, 57.1%, B: 2009. cask 1732, 61 bottles. Price:

Colour: Old gold- amber.

Nose: Meaty, peaty, floral, farmy, clean, with some peach and smoke. Heavy.

Taste: Spicy, salty to very salty, slightly meaty and farmy, clean, smooth, slightly peaty, on orange, rose water, peach and crushed cereals. The finish is short to medium, very clean, smooth, fruity, on tangerine, peach and apricots.

General Impression: A surprising whisky with an original combination of flavours. A chameleon whisky difficult to grasp, but always pleasant.

Rating: 15/20 FP:F4

24 Oct 2009
Special Whisky-Live Paris

Hanyu Ichiro’s 3 of Clubs, OB,61.1%, D: 2000, B: 2009, cask 7020, 582 bottles. Price:

Colour: Old gold- amber.

Nose: Light, fresh, yeasty, sulphury, on bread dow and some vomit.

Taste: Yeasty, rubbery, spicy, salty, on hops and vegetamine. A bit young and rough.

The finish is short to medium, bitter, clean, yeasty, with some floral notes.

General Impression: A rather special whisky, not very much to my liking with these sulphury notes coming from the new American oak puncheon or was this bottle flawed? The nose improves slightly after a few minutes of aeration.

Rating: 08/20 FP:G1

22 Oct 2009
Special Whisky-Live Paris

Hanyu Ichiro’s malt 20 YO, OB, 57.5%, B: 2009. Price:

Colour: Old gold- amber.

Nose: Clean, polished, quite floral, on rose water, crushed cereals, orange and tangerine.

Taste: Smooth, fruity, spicy, fragrant, on rose water, orange and tangerine.

The finish is medium to long, smooth, clean, fruity, slightly rubbery and smoky.

General Impression: A very nice whisky, smooth and fruity, with the typical “clean” flavours of the Ichiro’s malt.

Rating: 16/20 FP:F2

21 Oct 2009
Special Whisky-Live Paris

Arran Sherry Single cask 1998, 10 YO, OB, 54.4%, B: 2008, cask 296, 233 bottles. Price:

Colour: Old gold-amber.

Nose: Clean, fruity, on juicy malt, with sweet-sugary orange and tangerine flavours.

Taste: Quite spicy, slightly meaty, on coconut, tannins, leather, tangerines and some strawberries. Diluted, it becomes spicier and more on red berries. The finish is medium, slightly dry and tannic, clean and spicy.

General Impression: A clean and smooth sherry matured Arran.

Rating: 12/20 FP: E1

18 Oct 2009
Special Whisky-Live Paris

Arran Peacock 1996, 13 YO, OB, 46%, B: 2009, 6000 bottles, Price:

Colour: Gold.

Nose: Malty, smooth, oaky, slightly floral and spicy, with some light fruity (citric) flavours.

Taste: Malty, oaky, with some fruity and smoky flavours. The finish is short to medium, smooth, smoky and quite oaky.

General Impression: A nice clean Arran, but less intense than the 10 YO.

Rating: 11/20 FP:C2

16 Oct 2009
Special Whisky-Live Paris

Karuizawa 1967 for LMDW, OB, 58.4%, Cask 6426. Price:

Colour: Light amber.

Nose: On old bold peat smoke, very smooth, with some tannins, a touch of honey, on tangerine and orange, as well as some exotic essences and plums.

Taste: Very smooth, spicy, very fruity, on coriander, tangerine, bitter orange, ginger, sandalwood and some tannins. The finish is medium, spicy, smooth and mellow, on coriander, tangerine and some tannins.

General Impression: A very nice and very old Karuizawa, clean and intense, with the wood well contained for its age.

Rating: 17/20 FP: G2

15 Oct 2009
Special Whisky-Live Paris

Port Ellen 1982 Collector’s edition, 3rd release for LMDW, 27 YO, Signatory, 58.6%, B: 2009, cask 1523, 229 bottles. Price:

Colour: Gold-old gold.

Nose: Peaty, floral, quite round, maritime, peaty and slightly tarry. Diluted, it becomes more lemony.

Taste: Round, quite fruity and floral, peaty, slightly maritime, with some melon, guimauve, and some old wood smoke bonfire. The finish is medium to long, maritime, smoky, slightly mineral, with some toffee and liquorice.

General Impression: A very good and mellow Port Ellen, maybe a tad to gentle?

Rating: 17/20 FP:C6

14 Oct 2009

Port Ellen 9th Annual Release, 30 YO, OB, 57.7%, D; 1979, B: 2009, 5916 bottles. Price:

Colour: Old gold.

Nose: Dry, peaty, salty, on seashells, seaweeds and peat. Very strong maritime flavours. Diluted, it becomes more floral.

Taste: Peaty, salty, quite tarry and mellow, on liquorice root, smoked fish, salt, with a hint of fruitiness and some hemp rope. The finish is medium to long, quite mellow, peaty, on seaweeds, salt, and some hemp rope.

General Impression: This is the first 30 YO Port Ellen bottled by the owner. This might not be the peatiest expression, but with age, it gained mellowness and I found the 9th Annual release less tired than the 8th.

Rating: 18/20 FP:C7

13 Oct 2009
Special Whisky-Live Paris

Benriach 1985, 23 YO, 49.0%, Signatory, B: 2009, cask 5501, 208 bottles. Price:

Colour: Gold- old gold.

Nose: Slightly smoky, malty, smooth, on honey and pollen, vanilla and with a touch of tangerine and melon. Diluted, it becomes fruitier and fresher.

Taste: Start on oaky and slightly rough notes, before becoming smoother, slightly syrupy, fruity and on vanilla. The finish is medium to long, a bit rough at the start, before becoming rounder, mellower, oaky, fruity, with some honey sweetness.

General Impression: A nice BenRiach, but slightly rough and quite smoky.

Rating: 14/20 FP:B3

11 Oct 2009

Special Whisky-Live Paris

BenRiach 1976 for La Maison Du Whisky (LMDW), 33 YO, OB, 51.6%, B: 2009, cask 3551, 160 bottles. Price:

Colour: Old gold.

Nose: Very smooth and fruity, fresh, quite light, on pollen, with discreet peaty notes.

Taste: Oaky, very fruity, slightly smoky, on guava, passion fruits, melon, canned pineapples and some wet tobacco leaves, with some pink grapefruit. The finish is long, fruity, slightly citric and peaty, on pineapples, with some coconut and grapefruit.

General Impression: Simply an excellent BenrRiach, more smoky and balanced than cask 3558.

Rating: 18/20 FP:C4

09 Oct 2009

BenRiach 1976 for The Whisky Fair, 33 YO, OB, 47.4%, B: 2009, cask 3558, 162 bottles. Price:

Colour: Old gold.

Nose: Superb fruity notes, on passion fruits, pineapples and guava. Lighter and fresher than the cask 3550.

Taste: Very fruity, slightly oaky, quite smoky, on guava, melon, pineapples and with some tobacco. The finish is long, fruity and slightly peaty.

General Impression: A very good BenRiach, fruitier but also more bitter than cask 3550.

Rating: 17/20 FP:C3

08 Oct 2009

BenRiach 1976 for The Whisky Fair, 33 YO, OB, 46.2%, B: 2009, cask 3550, 103 bottles. Price:

Colour: Old gold.

Nose: Superb fruity notes, on passion fruits, mango, papaya, with slight bold peaty undertones.

Taste: Spicy, slightly oaky, very fruity, on passion fruits, vanilla, with plenty of pineapples and a nice peatiness. The finish is long, fruity, creamy, slightly syrupy, on mango, guava and pineapples.

General Impression: An excellent BenRiach very fruity.

Rating: 18/20 FP:D3

07 Oct 2009

Clynelish 1989 South African Sherry, 11 YO, Signatory, B: 2001, butt 3233. Price:

Colour: Old gold.

Nose: Fresh, floral, slightly spirity and meaty, on orange, tangerine, cherry and some hot spices.

Taste: Very sweet and malty, before becoming very spicy (curry, coriander, mustard and  pepper), with some meaty notes. Quite smooth, but with a certain oakiness. The finish is long, bitter-sweet, spicy, peppery, and slightly rough. Diluted, it becomes more on caramel.

General Impression: The South African sherry butt gives a different flavour than European Sherry casks: it is a bit rougher and closer to the American Sherry casks (for the ones who have tasted it). The winey influences disappeared some weeks after opening.

Rating: 14/20 FP:F2

06 Oct 2009

Clynelish 1973 The Presonfield for La Maison Du Whisky, 33 YO, Signatory, 54.3%,  B: 2006, Sherry butt 8912, 405 bottles. Price:

Colour: Pale yellow-gold.

Nose: Peaty, clean, smoky, maritime, very intense, spicy, with some salt and seaweeds.

Taste: Bitter, slightly floral, spicy to very spicy (Dijon mustard), dry, peaty, mineral, slightly farmy, with some fruitiness on the edges. The finish is long, clean, dry, bitter, with some geranium, gentian, smoke and some dry peat.

General Impression: An excellent Clynelish and surprisingly peaty. Since the new Clynelish distillery has been only using unpeated malt (according the distillery staff), was it a Brora cask not correctly labelled? In any case, a very enjoyable whisky.

Rating: 18/20 FP:A7

26Sep 2009

Clynelish 1983 for Waldhaus am See Double Anniversary, 25 YO, Signatory, 46%, B: 2008. Price:

Colour: Gold

Nose: Very floral, slightly smoky and maritime, with some bitterness, and on pollen.

Taste: Dry, salty to very salty, slightly soapy, spicy, with some bitterness and on cardboard. The finish is long, spicy, round, with some bitterness and on mustard.

General Impression: A nice allround Clynelish.

Rating: 14/20 FP:D2

24Sep 2009

Octomore 2_140, 5 YO, OB, 62.5%, B: 2009. Price:

Colour: Straw

Nose: Very heavily peated, tarry, on warm ashes, with some bold peat, maritime, on kelps and roots.

Taste: Dry, very peaty, salty, very astringent, maritime, fragrant, on burnt algae and roots, tar and rusted iron. The finish is medium to long, dry, clean, very peaty, maritime and on cold ashes, with a very long peaty retro-olfaction.

General Impression: A quite different beast from the first official release of Octomore, peatier and more mature, but rather simple. Promising, but it would benefit of a few extra years of maturation. If you want a blast from barley peated at 140 ppm, you won't be disappointed by this beast!
Rating: 14/20 FP:A10

22Sep 2009

Auchentoshan Whisky Festival 2009, OB, B:2009, 300 bottles. Price:

Colour: Gold.

Nose: Intense, very floral, smooth, fragrant, fruity (peach and melon), with some vanilla.

Taste: Smooth, slightly spirity, floral, fragrant, clean, fresh, on vanilla custard, white chocolate and coconut. The finish is short to medium, fresh, very clean, floral, fragrant, slightly malty and on vanilla.

General Impression: Bottled for the Auchtenoshan Whisky Festival 2009 (at the distillery), this young Auchentoshan (approximately 6 years old) is very fresh and very satisfying, perfect for a sunny day or as an aperitif. Thank you Misako.

Rating: 14/20 FP:A1

20Sep 2009

GlenDronach 1972, 37 YO, OB, 54.8%, B:2009, Oloroso butt 719, 474 bottles. Price:

Colour: Amber

Nose: Mellow, rich, intense, fruity, floral, with some heather honey, tangerine and orange. Very harmonious and subtle. A pleasure to nose.

Taste: Smooth and mellow, on red berries, oranges, tangerines and slightly spicy. Rich, complex, with a remarquable balance. The finish is long, spicy, smooth, rich, on strawberries, as well as other red berries, tangerine and orange, all mixed sith some delicate aromatic herbs and a slight smokiness.

General Impression: An impressive GlenDronach, without any blemish of age. One of the best sherried whisky that I have tasted for a long while.

Rating: 19/20 FP: H2

18Sep 2009

Glendronach 1985 OMC sherry finish, 20 YO, Douglas Laing, B: 2006, ref 1488, 239 bottles. Price:

Colour: Amber

Nose: Strong sherry notes, on vegetamine, raisins, some peat smoke, wild berries and leather.

Taste: Sweet, on juicy malt, strawberries, floral notes, then it becomes more on toffee and chocolate. The finish is medium to long, slightly rubbery and tannic, on leather, cinnamon powder, while remaining quite light and sweet.

General Impression: The sherry finish is surprisingly strong on the nose. The sherry cask was certainly first fill, since it gives more the impression of a full sherry maturation than a finish, if it was not a certain sweetness on the palate.

Rating: 16/20 FP: H3

16Sep 2009

GlenDronach 1971, 38 YO, OB, 49.4%, B:2009, Oloroso butt 483, 544 bottles. Price:

Colour: Amber

Nose: Rich, intense, spicy, on vegetal condiment, orange, tangerine and some honey sweetness. More marked by the sherry than the 1972.

Taste: Mellow, spicy, intense, slightly tannic, on berries, tangerine, orange and some papaya. The finish is long, slightly dry, tannic and rubbery.

General Impression: An excellent GlenDronach. Even if the 1972 was darker, the influence of the sherry is stronger in the 1971, with more spices and also more tannins.

Rating: 17/20 FP: I2

13Sep 2009

GlenDronach 1993, 16 YO, OB, 60.4%, B: 2009, Oloroso butt 523, 634 bottles. Price:

Colour: Amber

Nose: Fresh, floral, sweet, slightly malty, on orange, tangerine and some spices (vegetal condiments). Lovely.

Taste: Nicely spicy, on aromatic herbs, tannins, leather, orange, with some tangerine and a drop of rosewater, and a slight smokiness. We are getting close to the style of the old 15 YO 40%, but with more punch. The finish is medium to long, tannic, spicy and fruity (orange, tangerine and berries).

General Impression: A very nice GlenDronach, complex, with a nice interplay of flavours, without off-notes.

Rating: 17/20 FP:I2

09sep 2009

Clynelish 1965 “Yellow brick label” sherry, 24 YO, Cadenhead’s, 46%, B: 1989. Price: N.A.

Colour: Old gold-amber.

Nose: Very mineral, slightly fruity, quite bitter, farmy, smoky, and quite austere. Diluted, it becomes farmier.

Taste: Dry, very spicy, rather bitter, mineral, with some pollen and honey, on mustard, curry and smoke. With time, it becomes more on bitter orange and tangerine. The finish is medium to long, dry, bitter, on gentian, old smoke, with some sawdust and bitter orange marmalade.

General Impression: A Clynelish bitter, mineral and austere, with some orange marmalade aromas. A quite extreme whisky, maybe difficult, that some might enjoy less than I did. Thank you Patrick S.

Rating: 17/20 FP:F4

08sep 2009

GlenDronach 1996, 13 YO, OB, 59.4%, B: 2009, Oloroso butt 193, 399 bottles. Price:

Colour: Dark Amber.

Nose: Heavy and rich, spicy (vegetal condiment), floral, on plums, grapes, leather, with some berries. Over time, it becomes spicier and with some hops.

Taste: Dry, spicy (vegetal condiment and nutmeg), rubbery and on leather, then it becomes more on orange and bitter orange and chewy. Diluted, it becomes soapy and on coriander. The finish is dry to very dry, tannic, slightly rubbery, on orange and bitter orange and slightly dusty.

General Impression: A sherry monster without much compromise. Rich and intense, but slightly too rubbery on the palate to my taste.

Rating: 14/20 FP:J2

06sep 2009

Clynelish 12 YO “Yellow and red label”, OB, 40%, B: 1980s. Price: N.A.

Colour: Old gold

Nose: Oaky, fruity, slightly maritime, on “eau de vie”, peach, apricots, guava, and some old peat smoke. Diluted, it becomes smokier.

Taste: Juicy, spicy (mustard and white pepper), oaky, slightly mineral, with a certain oiliness, on fruit compote, quince and some peat smoke. The finish is dry, smoky, fruity, slightly bitter, with some cocoa and fudge.

General Impression: A good and charming malt, juicy, quite oily, with a nice peaty-smokiness. Version bottled for the French Market.

Rating: 16/20 FP:D4

04sep 2009

Clynelish Manager’s dram, 17 YO, OB, 61.8%, B: 1998. Price: N.A.

Colour: Old gold-amber

Nose: Mineral, clean, spicy-nutty, meaty, clean, on cold ashes and Cointreau. Diluted, it becomes more mineral but also fruitier, on exotic fruits.

Taste: Spicy (ginger), very salty, smoky, peaty, on bitter orange skin, and slight cardboard flavours. Diluted, it becomes fruitier. The finish is long, spicy, peaty, mineral, on cold ashes and peat, seaweed, orange, and some tangerine and grapefruit.

General Impression: An excellent Clynelish nicely balanced.

Rating: 18/20

02 Sep 09

Clynelish 12, OB, 43%, B: 1970s. Price: N.A.
Colour: Pale yellow
Nose: Similar to the over 5 YO, but less peaty and mineral, with some additional fruitiness.
Taste: Tastes a bit like some diluted 5 YO Clynelish, but with some additional fruitiness. A tad weak. The finish is short, waxy, peaty and mineral.
General Impression: Surprisingly, the 12 YO was less pleasant and complex than the 5 YO, although it was 7 years older. Good, but not stunning. Thank you Patrick S.
Rating: 15/20

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